Cancer prevention by tea: animal studies, molecular mechanisms and human relevance

CS Yang, X Wang, G Lu, SC Picinich - Nature Reviews Cancer, 2009 - nature.com
CS Yang, X Wang, G Lu, SC Picinich
Nature Reviews Cancer, 2009nature.com
Extracts of tea, especially green tea, and tea polyphenols have been shown to inhibit the
formation and development of tumours at different organ sites in animal models. There is
considerable evidence that tea polyphenols, in particular (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate,
inhibit enzyme activities and signal transduction pathways, resulting in the suppression of
cell proliferation and enhancement of apoptosis, as well as the inhibition of cell invasion,
angiogenesis and metastasis. Here, we review these biological activities and existing data …
Abstract
Extracts of tea, especially green tea, and tea polyphenols have been shown to inhibit the formation and development of tumours at different organ sites in animal models. There is considerable evidence that tea polyphenols, in particular (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, inhibit enzyme activities and signal transduction pathways, resulting in the suppression of cell proliferation and enhancement of apoptosis, as well as the inhibition of cell invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Here, we review these biological activities and existing data relating tea consumption to human cancer risk in an attempt to understand the potential use of tea for cancer prevention.
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